The document discusses the fight against racism in Ypsilanti, Michigan during World War II. It describes how Ypsilanti had a large African American population by the early 20th century that faced sanctioned segregation and Jim Crow laws. During World War II, thousands of black workers migrated to Ypsilanti for jobs in factories like the Willow Run Bomber Plant. However, they faced major issues with segregated housing, employment discrimination, and lack of community services. Local black leaders and civil rights organizations protested and fought for integrated housing, jobs, and facilities through demonstrations and legal challenges. By the late 1940s, some progress was made as policies shifted to allow more access and integration, though racism and inequality still persisted

1. The Fight Against Racism in Ypsilanti
During World War Two
Matt Siegfried

2. Between 1870 and 1920, Ypsilanti had the largest black population, by percentage, of
any city in Michigan, with between 8 and 15% of its population African-American.
This community had deep roots in the anti-slavery movement and Canadian exile
settlements and had a long tradition of self-reliance and organization.
A center of African-American life throughout the region, including Canada, Ypsilanti
hosted many of the most important cultural and political African-American figures of the
time.
Though not as violent or severe, Jim Crow existed in the north as well as the south.
Segregation was not better, but worse, in Ypsilanti than many Michigan cities.
The original community merged with thousands of southern migrants coming to work in
the factories after World War One. This community struggled against segregation and
for civil rights during and after World War Two.
Their children and grandchildren, now a third of the city, continue a 180-year-old journey.

3. Historic Segregation in Ypsilanti
Ypsilanti had sanctioned segregation in
its schools and housing policy.
Neighborhoods became increasingly
divided, with the vast majority of blacks
moving to the 1st Ward by 1890.
Segregation in employment. US Pressed
Steel and the railroads. Most unions of
time deny blacks membership, some do
not.
Segregation in private businesses and
social clubs. Including theaters, diners,
saloons, hotels and some stores.
Openly discussed and debated during
the time.
Consistent resistance. 1892 community
is able to get a white police officer
charged with murder.

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51
67.4
83.6
93.6
6.7
18.1
7.4 7.7
5.8
2.7
36
20.7
17
12.5
1.4 0.9
10
3.2 5
1.8
4.7
0.4
21.6
13.6
19.1
10.4
4.3
2.2
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
1860 1870 1880 1894 1904 1920
African-American Population in Ypsilanti by Ward
Ward 1
Ward 2
Ward 3
Ward 4
Ward 5

5. Ypsilanti’s south side
and Harriet Street

6. Industry and Depression
Auto develops early in Ypsilanti.
Factories along renamed Michigan
Avenue.
Heavy industry and foundries arrive
because of black population.
Thousands migrate to Ypsilanti. Black
population doubles between 1920 and
1930 and doubles again by 1940.
Henry Ford builds plant, begins buying
large tracts of land in Washtenaw
County and along Huron River.
Ford hires blacks paternalistically
through African American churches.
Depression-era social crises. Labor,
race, housing, migrants, hunger, politics.
Little city or housing developments.
Long commutes, little services.

7. Migrations
Literally, millions of internal migrants in the
Depression and World War Two years.
Thousands come to Ypsilanti from rural
areas of the Midwest and the Great
Migration from the South.
New communities have to be negotiated
with Ypsi’s established black community.
Many new churches.
Ford hires through Black churches,
demands anti-union stance.
Ford Generator plant largest local employer
of African Americans.
Home building stops during the Depression,
but the need grows exponentially.
Infrastructure and community services
particularly neglected on city’s South Side.
Henry Ford’s recruitment for Willow Run in
Kentucky and social engineering.
Garther Roberson, John Goodman and a
host of future leaders arrive.

8. Race, Work, Housing
and Commutes
Detroit, Dearborn,
Ypsilanti, Inkster

9. Willow Run and Willow Lodge
Timeline of the Struggle for Housing, Jobs, Services & Dignity
1941 March 28 Work begins on Willow Run Bomber Plant. Built on Ford farm
property and leased to the government. Over $100,000,000 taxpayer dollars
will be spent on the factory.
June 20 Ford signs first contract with the United Auto Workers after massive
black and white strike at Rouge plant.
August Sewer, rail and highway reach plant area.
September 1 First workers hired in. At first Ford refuses to hire any women,
black or white. Begins recruiting in Appalachia.
1942 February 11 Agnes Menzies is hired as a nurse. The first woman in the
plant.
February Three black women refused applications at
Rouge hiring offices. White women began to be hired.
February 27 Sojourner Truth housing riots.
The fields around plant begin to fill up with trailers.
Transportation, housing and turnover crisis.
May Ford meets with white “Rosies” at Willow Run,
says they will refuse to work with black women.

10. Timeline
1942 April, National Guard escorts black families
into Sojourner Truth Housing.
May Carver Center groups meets to demand
integrated federal services.
Summer Continuous picketing of hiring offices by
NAACP, UAW. Black women occupy hiring offices.
Fall Under pressure, Ford hires 25 local black
women into the Generator Plant.
Housing crisis. Plan to build federal housing. Ford,
Ypsilanti block.
December Token hiring of six black women into
Willow Run in response to a demand for 7% hiring
of black women.
1943 February 13 Meeting of Rev Simmons (AME)
Dr. Perry, Eugene Beatty & Local 50 leader Willard
Martinson. Go to Washington to demand non-racial
housing, hiring, & services.
February 15 First dormitories open at Willow
Lodge for singles. Whites only.
UAW Local 50 picket the building of Willow Lodge.

11. Access
to
Housing

12. Timeline
1943 March 2 Local leaders travel to
Washing to meet with Government officials.
Their demands are opposed by NHA.
March, April, May Picketing of FPHA offices
in Detroit by NAACP, UAW, YCL & others.
April 11 10,000 March against Jim Crow at
Cadillac Square.
New housing planned for African Americans
in Inkster and Ypsilanti (Parkridge).
June 1 25,000 white workers strikes against
black employment at Packard Plant. UAW
denounces.
June Highpoint of Willow Run employment
42, 331. Few dozen African Americans.
June 13 Riots in Inkster. June 20 Detroit
Explodes. June 22 Ypsilanti National Guard
goes to Detroit (as it had in 1863).
June Ypsilanti cancels July 4th Celebrations
for fear of riots, would last the war.
December Federal Policy shifts, industry and
housing to be integrated.

13. June, 1943
Detroit Explodes

14. Timeline
1944 June Willow Run to be opened to
black renters, internally segregated.
July 15 First black family moves into Clay
Hill section. Employment falling
dramatically at plant. White section largely
vacant.
August 668 African Americans in Willow
Run.
September 100 units open at Park Ridge.
Production slowing, fewer than 10,000
working at plant.

15. The Fight for Services
Should services be geared
specifically toward the
underserved black community or
should the fight be for integrated
services?

16. Local Heroes

18. Changes in
the
Landscape
1940
1960

19. 1940
1960
The Highway System and Ypsilanti’s South Side

20. Questions or Comments?
Matt Siegfried
msiegfr@gmail.com
http://southadamstreet1900.wordpress.com